Dynamics of Extreme Surface Winds Inside North Atlantic Midlatitude Cyclones

Abstract North Atlantic midlatitude cyclones are among the most severe weather systems, causing enormous economic damages and threatening human lives. The cyclone is typically characterized by cyclonic convergent surface winds, strong updrafts, and precipitation. However, extreme surface winds are o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical Research Letters
Main Authors: Jun‐Hyeok Son, Christian L. E. Franzke, Seok‐Woo Son
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024
Subjects:
storms
atmospheric dynamics
windspeed
extremes
fronts
Geophysics. Cosmic physics
QC801-809
North Atlantic
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL110330
https://doaj.org/article/44f75ee7623441dcb1a91dd858f7012c
Description
Summary:Abstract North Atlantic midlatitude cyclones are among the most severe weather systems, causing enormous economic damages and threatening human lives. The cyclone is typically characterized by cyclonic convergent surface winds, strong updrafts, and precipitation. However, extreme surface winds are often observed within the cyclone where downdrafts develop. The present study investigates the dynamical and thermodynamical characteristics of the horizontal winds impinging on the cold frontal surface and the associated downdrafts. It is shown that the cyclonic winds into the cold frontal surface are mainly responsible for the downdrafts that transport the high‐altitude horizontal momentum to the surface and cause intense surface winds. About half of the North Atlantic midlatitude cyclones are accompanied by the downdrafts especially in the southern and western parts of the cyclone center.

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